Today we decided to go to Epcot, but not by just driving to the Epcot parking lot. We drove to Hollywood Studios to park, then caught the Skyliner. To get to Epcot from Hollywood Studios you take the Skyliner to Caribbean Beach resort then change to the Epcot line. You can also change here for Art of Animation and Pop Century resorts. The Caribbean Beach to Epcot Skyliner also stops at Riviera resort.
This was the first time we had ridden the Skyliner, when we stayed at Caribbean Beach in 2017 and they hadn’t long started building it, as well as the Riviera Resort. The ride was really smooth, as was change over. It was really nice to see the different views and the narration was really good.
As we were entering Epcot via International Gateway, which is where the Skyliner station is, we had decided today would be a World Showcase day, a day to properly explore each of the country pavilions.
Usually for me World Showcase starts at Mexico and ends at Canada, due to the fact we started from International Gateway todays start is United Kingdom, with France as our final destination.
I’m a big fan of ears, and in the cart as you enter United Kingdom I purchased some Winnie The Pooh ears, rather than having Mickey shaped ears they had Pooh Bear ears. We walked through the shops and had a look at Yorkshire County Fish Shop and Rose &Crown Pub & Dining Room. We also saw Alice, from Alice In Wonderland and Mary Poppins.
Next stop on our World tour was Canada. We have eaten in Le Cellier Steakhouse in the past and I would definitely recommend eating here.
We had a look in Trading Post then heading to the back of the Pavilion where there is a lovely waterfall. We queued to watch Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360, while it was amazing, it made me feel a bit queasy having 360 screens showing film all around you.
After a walk through Port of Entry and Disney Traders we arrived at our next, and my favourite pavillion – Mexico.
Outside the pavilion you will find a margarita bar and La Cantina de San Angel (quick service) and La Hacienda de San Angel (sit down restaurant). Once inside the pyramid, the main pavilion, you are surrounded by multiple stalls, La Cava del Tequila (tequila bar), San Angel Inn Restaurante (my fav) and the pavilions ride – Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. Obviously we had to ride this.
Next up is Norway, the home of Frozen. Here they have. Meet and greet with Anna and Elsa, and it is also home to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, here you can feast with storybook princesses. If using the dining plan this costs 2 table-service credits per person.
We decided to ride Frozen Ever After, as we were trying to do something in each pavilion, and then had a look through the shop, which is where you exit the ride.
We were now starting to get hungry and decided to lunch in the next Pavilion – China. We hadn’t booked a table for Nine Dragons Restaurant so decided to try Lotus Blossom Cafe next door. The food was lovely, the only issue we had was we ordered the special beer – Watermelon Dragonfruit Burst, but on getting the order they had run out so had substituted it to a beer I didn’t want, so we then had to sort out a refund.
We had a look around House of Good Fortune then decided to skip Reflections of China, as it’s another 360 film, and after feeling queasy from Canada I didn’t want to risk it.
Now Germany, the home of Werther’s original at Karamell-Kuche, and beer, lots and lots of beer. Also home to Biergarten Restaurant and Sommerfest.
One of my favourite things in Epcot is located here, just outside the min pavilion area, a miniature railway. I spent a good while stood watching the trains.
Italy was our next stop, home of Tutto Italia Ristorante, Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. Also home to gorgeous water fountains.
Usually the halfway point – America. Here you will find The American Adventure (for some reason this was closed when we went), Art of Disney, Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, Fife & Drum Tavern and the America Gardens Theatre. During the festivals there is often artists or performances at this theatre.
We had a look around Art of Disney, of which there are some very nice prints, if luggage and money were unlimited I could have easily gone home with a few.
Now the pavilion for those that love Kawaii – Japan. Food wise you have some fantastic options – Katsura Grill (quick service), Kabuki Cafe (cart), Outdoor Kitchen-Hanami (cart), Takumi-Tei (fine dining), Teppan Edo (sit down) and Shiki-Sai Izakaya and Sushi.
You will also find the History of Kawaii exhibit here, and Mitsukoshi Department Store. Here you will find all thing Kawaii and Japanese game characters. You can also pick a pearl, sadly this hadn’t reopened when we were then, but has done so since.
Almost at the end of our tour we arrive at Morocco, home of Spice Road Table, Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina and Restaurant Marrakesh. You also get a pretty good view of Spaceship Earth from here, which we did as it was starting to light up.
Our final stop on our World tour was France, home of the Eiffel Tower. Food wise you have Chefs de France, Monsieur Paul, Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie and La Creperie de Paris.
It was nearly 7pm and we saw Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along was showing in 10 minutes so we decided to do that, I love Beauty and the Beast and know all the words. However once in the theatre and sat down what was actually played was Impressions de France. On checking the app on exist Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along stops at 6pm, so clearly they had the wrong show advertised.
We had managed to get Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure through Genie+ so headed there. This was our first time riding it in America, we have ridden it in Paris multiple times and love it. The mouse ride vehicles are fab, and the 3D is really immersive, feeling the heat from the cookers and the odd splash makes it well worth riding.
Once we had finished our ride it was back through International Gateway to the Skyliner and back across to Hollywood Studios to collect the car and head to the hotel.
TTFN, Titch
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